Method of and an apparatus for assisting in putting on and taking off a wet suit used by water enthusiasts

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to assist in putting on and taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and a combination thereof which is used by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of a wet suit. The apparatus includes at least one member formed as at least one of a bootie and a glove having a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit a material such at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover and thereby inhibit contact between a person&#39;s skin and such at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof in an area covered by the at least on of such bootie and glove.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/034,700 filed Mar. 7, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to both putting on and takingoff wet suits used by surfers, divers and sail boaters and, moreparticularly, this invention relates to both a method and an apparatuswhich will greatly improve the ease with which such wet suits can beeither put on or taken off.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, wetsuits are quite difficult to put on and take off as is generally wellknown in the prior art.

The difficulty in putting on and taking off wet suits are welldocumented in the prior art as is evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,438,531;5,222,313; and 5,826,274. Each of these patents teach, in addition tothe difficulties encountered, certain methods and equipment to helpalleviate the problems encountered. The teachings of each of thesereferences are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

However, none of these listed prior art references which are known toapplicant have totally solved all the problems associated with puttingon and taking off a wet suit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, according to a first embodiment, anapparatus for assisting in putting on and taking off at least one ofcoveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used by waterenthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of a wet suit.The apparatus includes at least one member formed as at least one of abootie and a glove. The at least one of such bootie and such glove haseach of a predetermined size and is produced from a predeterminedmaterial which has a predetermined coefficient of friction. Thepredetermined coefficient of friction is at least sufficiently low topermit a material such at least one of such coveralls, pants, torsocover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover andthereby inhibit contact between a person's skin and the at least one ofsuch coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof in an areacovered by the at least on of the bootie and glove.

The invention, according to a second embodiment, provides a method ofputting on at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and acombination thereof used by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wetsuit and a portion of such wet suit. The method includes as a first stepselecting the at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and acombination thereof to be worn by a person. Thereafter, putting on atleast one of a bootie and a glove having a predetermined size andproduced from a predetermined material having a predeterminedcoefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit amaterial such at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover andcombination thereof is produced from to slide thereover depending onwhich one of such at least one of coveralls, pants, torso cover andcombination thereof is to be worn by the person. Then, pushing a footthrough each leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pants whenthe at least one of such coveralls and pants are selected and the bootiehas been put on. The method also includes pushing a hand through eacharm of the coveralls and torso cover when the at least one of suchcoveralls and torso cover are selected. Next, rolling up each pant legof the at least one of such coveralls and pants to a position above anupper portion of the bootie and then removing such bootie. After thebootie has been remove the method includes the step of rolling each pantleg back down. Further the method includes rolling up each arm of the atleast one of such coveralls and torso cover to a position above an upperportion of the glove and then removing the glove from each hand.Thereafter, rolling each arm of such at least one of the coveralls andtorso cover back down.

According to a third embodiment, the instant invention teaches a methodof taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and acombination thereof used by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wetsuit and a portion of a wet suit. The method includes the steps ofrolling up each pant leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pantsto a predetermined position above an ankle of a person wearing the atleast one of such coveralls and pants. Thereafter, placing a bootiehaving a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined materialhaving a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at leastsufficiently low to permit a material the at least one of suchcoveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced fromto slide thereover on each foot of the person. Then, rolling each pantleg back down over a top portion of the bootie after placing on one eachfoot. Next, removing each leg from the at least one of such coverallsand pants and thereafter removing the bootie. Further, the methodincludes the step of rolling up each arm of such at least one of thecoveralls and torso cover to a predetermined position above a wrist ofthe person. Then, placing a glove having a predetermined size andproduced from a predetermined material having a predeterminedcoefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit amaterial the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover to slideover each hand. Thereafter, rolling each arm of the at least one of suchcoveralls and torso cover back down over a top portion of the glove andthen remove each arm from such at least one of the coveralls and torsocover and thereafter the glove.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a method of and an apparatus for putting on or taking off atleast one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereofforming a wet suit which will significantly reduce the time required toaccomplish the task.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of and anapparatus for putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls, pants,torso cover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which willincrease the useful life of the wet suit by reducing the frictionbetween the wet suit and a person's skin.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofand an apparatus for putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls,pants, torso cover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which isrelatively easy to use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a an apparatusfor putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, torsocover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor putting on or taking off at least one of coveralls, pants, torsocover and combination thereof forming a wet suit which can be producedfrom a variety of materials which will exhibit a relatively lowcoefficient of friction.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the presentinvention described with some degree of specificity above it should beobvious that additional objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled inthe relevant art from the following more detailed description of theinvention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunctionwith the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a coverall type wet suit which can be usedwith the presently preferred embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of pants forming a portion of a wet suit whichcan be used with the presently preferred embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a torso cover forming a portion of a wet suit which can beused with the presently preferred embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a sock like bootie used in putting on andtaking off the leg portion of a wet suit; and

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a mitten type glove used in putting on andtaking off the arm portion of a wet suit.

FIGS. 6, 6A, and 6B are illustrations showing the bootie in differentarrangements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity andunderstanding, identical components which have identical functions havebeen identified with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-2. Illustratedtherein is a presently preferred embodiment of an apparatus, generallydesignated 10, which is used in both putting on and taking off a wetsuit, generally designated 20. Such wet suit 20, may be selected fromthe group consisting of at least one of coveralls 12, pants 14, torsocover 16 and a combination thereof. The coveralls 12, pants 14, torsocover 16 and a combination thereof are made from a first predeterminedmaterial such as rubber.

The apparatus 10 comprising at least one member formed as at least oneof a bootie 18 and a glove 22. Such glove 22 is preferably formed as amitten. The at least one of such bootie and glove having a predeterminedsize and is produced from a second predetermined material. The secondpredetermined material will have a predetermined coefficient of frictionwhich is at least sufficiently low to permit a material the at least oneof such coveralls 12, pants 14, torso cover 16 and combination thereofis produced from to slide thereover and thereby inhibit contact betweena person's skin and the at least one of coveralls 12, pants 14, torsocover 16 and a combination thereof in an area covered by the at least onof such bootie 18 and glove 22. Preferably, the second predeterminedmaterial will be selected from the group consisting of nylon, highdensity polyethylene fibers and hydrophobic materials. In the presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention such predetermined material isnylon.

Additionally, in such presently preferred embodiment the at least one ofthe coveralls 12, pants 14, torso cover 16 and combination thereof willbe pants 14 and torso cover 16. Further, in the most preferredembodiment the apparatus 10 will include both booties 18 and gloves 22.

It is further preferred that each of the at least one of such booties 18and gloves 22 include a means, generally designated 30, disposedadjacent the top portion 24 thereof for retaining them in place duringputting on and taking off the wet suit. The means 30 for retaining thebooties 16 and gloves 18 in place during putting on and taking off thewet suit is selected from the group consisting of elastic, hook andloop, a snap and twine.

The instant invention further provides a method of putting on at leastone of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used bywater enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of a wetsuit.

The method includes the steps of selecting the at least one ofcoveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof to be worn by aperson. Putting on at least one of a bootie and a glove having apredetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having apredetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently lowto permit a material such at least one of such coveralls, pants, torsocover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereoverdepending on which one of said at least one of coveralls, pants, torsocover and combination thereof is to be worn by such person. Then,pushing a foot through each leg of the at least one of such coverallsand pants when the at least one of such coveralls and pants are selectedand the bootie has been put. The method further includes pushing an armthrough each arm of the coveralls and the torso cover when the at leastone of such coveralls and torso cover are selected. Thereafter, rollingup each pant leg of the at least one of such coveralls and pants to aposition above an upper portion of the bootie and then removing thebootie from each foot. Further, the method includes rolling each pantleg back down after removing the bootie. Similarly, the method includesrolling up each arm of at least one of the coveralls and torso cover toa position above an upper portion of the glove and then removing suchglove from each hand and finally rolling each arm of the at least one ofsuch coveralls and torso cover back down.

It should be understood that certain ones of the steps described abovemay be performed in a different sequence than as set forth supra.

The present invention further provides a method of taking off at leastone of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used bywater enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of saidwet suit. Such method includes the steps of rolling up each pant leg ofthe at least one of such coveralls and pants to a predetermined positionabove an ankle of a person wearing the at least one of such coverallsand pants. Then, placing a bootie having a predetermined size andproduced from a predetermined material having a predeterminedcoefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit amaterial the at least one of such coveralls, pants, torso cover andcombination thereof is produced from to slide thereover on each foot ofthe person. Thereafter, rolling each pant leg back down over a topportion of the bootie. Then, removing each leg from the at least one ofsuch coveralls and pants and thereafter removing the bootie. Also, themethod includes rolling up each arm of the at least one of suchcoveralls and torso cover to a predetermined position above a wrist ofthe person and then placing a glove having a predetermined size andproduced from a predetermined material having a predeterminedcoefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit amaterial the at least one of such coveralls and torso cover is made fromto slide over each hand.

Next, the method includes rolling each arm of the at least one of suchcoveralls and torso cover back down over a top portion of the glove andthen removing each arm from the at least one of such coveralls and torsocover and thereafter removing the glove.

As mention above with respect to the method of putting on a wet suit itshould be understood that certain ones of the steps described above maybe performed in a different sequence than as set forth supra.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of thepresent invention have been described in sufficient detail above toenable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same itshould be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications canbe envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departingfrom either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. An apparatus for assisting in putting on and taking off at least oneof coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used bywater enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of a wetsuit, said apparatus comprising at least one member formed as at leastone of a bootie and a glove, said at least one of said bootie and saidglove having a predetermined size and produced from a predeterminedmaterial having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is atleast sufficiently low to permit a material such at least one of suchcoveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced fromto slide thereover and thereby inhibit contact between a person's skinand such at least one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and acombination thereof in an area covered by said at least on of saidbootie and glove.
 2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said atleast one of said coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereofis pants and a torso cover.
 3. An apparatus, according to claim 2,wherein said apparatus includes both booties and gloves.
 4. Anapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of saidcoveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is coveralls. 5.An apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus includes bothbooties and gloves.
 6. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein saidat least one of said coveralls, pants, torso cover and combinationthereof is a torso cover and said at least one of booties and gloves isgloves.
 7. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least oneof said coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is pantsand a torso cover said at least one of booties and gloves is bothbooties and gloves.
 8. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein eachof said at least one of said booties and gloves include a means disposedadjacent said top portion thereof for retaining them in place duringputting on and taking off said wet suit.
 9. An apparatus, according toclaim 1, wherein said means for retaining said booties and gloves inplace during putting on and taking off said wet suit is selected fromthe group consisting of elastic, hook and loop, a snap and twine.
 10. Anapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said glove is a mitten.
 11. Anapparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material isselected from the group consisting of nylon, high density polyethylenefibers and hydrophobic materials.
 12. A method of putting on at leastone of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereof used bywater enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion of saidwet suit, said method comprising the steps of: (a) selecting said atleast one of coveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof to beworn by a person; (b) putting on at least one of a bootie and a glovehaving a predetermined size and produced from a predetermined materialhaving a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at leastsufficiently low to permit a material such at least one of suchcoveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is produced fromto slide thereover depending on which one of said at least one ofcoveralls, pants, torso cover and combination thereof is to be worn bysaid person selected in step (a); (c) pushing a foot through each leg ofsaid at least one of said coveralls and pants when said at least one ofsaid coveralls and pants are selected in step (a) and said bootie hasbeen put on in step (b); (d) pushing an arm through each arm of saidcoveralls and said torso cover when said at least one of said coverallsand torso cover are selected in step (a) and said glove is selected instep (b); (e) rolling up each pant leg of said at least one of saidcoveralls and pants donned in step (c) to a position above an upperportion of said bootie; (f) removing said bootie from each foot afterstep (e); (g) rolling said each pant leg back down after removing saidbootie in step (f); (h) rolling up each arm of said at least one of saidcoveralls and said torso cover donned in step (d) to a position above anupper portion of said glove; (i) removing said glove from each handafter step (h); (j) rolling each arm of said at least one of saidcoveralls and said torso cover back down after (i).
 13. A method,according to claim 12, wherein said coveralls are selected in step (a)and steps (b) through (h) follow each other in sequence.
 14. A method,according to claim 12, wherein said pants and torso cover are selectedin step (a) and thereafter steps (b) through (h) follow each other insequence.
 15. A method, according to claim 12, wherein said pants andtorso cover are selected in step (a) and steps (h) through (j) arecompleted prior to steps (e) through (g).
 16. A method of taking off atleast one of coveralls, pants, a torso cover and a combination thereofused by water enthusiasts as at least one of a wet suit and a portion ofsaid wet suit, said method comprising the steps of: (a) rolling up eachpant leg of said at least one of said coveralls and pants to apredetermined position above an ankle of a person wearing said at leastone of said coveralls and pants; (b) placing a bootie having apredetermined size and produced from a predetermined material having apredetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently lowto permit a material said at least one of said coveralls, pants, torsocover and combination thereof is produced from to slide thereover oneach foot of said person; (c) rolling said each pant leg back down overa top portion of said bootie after placing on said each foot; (d)removing each leg from said at least one of said coveralls and pants andthereafter said bootie; (e) rolling up each arm of said at least one ofsaid coveralls and said torso cover to a predetermined position above awrist of said person; (g) placing a glove having a predetermined sizeand produced from a predetermined material having a predeterminedcoefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low to permit amaterial said at least one of said coveralls and torso cover to slideover each hand; (h) rolling each arm of said at least one of saidcoveralls and said torso cover back down over a top portion of saidglove; and (i) removing each arm from said at least one of saidcoveralls and torso cover and thereafter said glove.
 17. A method,according to claim 16, wherein said at least one of coveralls, pants, atorso cover and a combination thereof is a combination of pants and atorso cover and steps (a) through (i) follow one another in sequence.